Washington state ban on online gambling due to be heard on April 25 after delay tactics fail.
Tuesday 4th March 2008
In America, a lawyer who filed a motion challenging the constitutionality of a state law forbidding online gambling has had his court date set.
Seattle resident Lee Rousso announced that his long-awaited and State-delayed hearing has now been scheduled for the morning of April 25 and that he plans to file his brief before the hearing on March 28.
Rousso filed his case last year as a challenge to a Washington state ban on Internet gambling, which makes offenders liable to Class Three felony penalties normally reserved for more serious crimes. He is arguing that the state's online gambling ban fails to comply with the Wire Act passed by the Federal Government, which has never extended criminal liability to the players unlike the local legislation.
'I hope Washington state poker players will come to the hearing and show their support,' said Rousso.
The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) representative for the state, Rousso is additionally accusing Washington of imposing its online ban in order to protect its extensive land gambling industry, a violation of the US.
Constitution's commerce clause forbidding individual states from passing protectionist laws.
Rousso stated that state legal tactics have delayed his day in court and necessitated an appeal action. However, with his day in court now set, the attorney is determined to raise some interesting and very public questions regarding a ban that singles out online gambling in a state that appears to recognise almost all other forms of the pastime on land.
In America, a lawyer who filed a motion challenging the constitutionality of a state law forbidding online gambling has had his court date set.